While travelling in the south of France a few years ago, I saw in many shop windows in Marseilles and the surrounding Provence area attractive displays of little figurines. I was intrigued by the colour, shape and variety of these little four- inch people representing a myriad of careers and walks of life. I soon learned that these pottery renderings are known as santons, “little saints” or everyday saints.
The first clay santons were created as crèche figurines by Marsellais artisan Jean Louis Lagnel (1764-1822). His Christmas scenes soon grew to include representations or colorful townspeople as well as traditional trades, activities and costumes of Provence. Their creation has been essentially a family craft handed down from generation to generation. Today santons have outgrown the manger tableau and have become popular, mass produced figurines of ordinary people sold in shops, churches and homes in several countries.
Back in Marseilles, I carefully chose my “dancing lady” from among a myriad of colourful santons and brought her safely home to Canada. She inspired me to realize that we are, in our own unique ways, “little saints”. This awareness has grown within me to the point where seeing the magnificent stained glass saints depicted in church windows leads me to ponder the ordinary aspects of their lives which are similar to ours in spite of the passing years and generations. Yes, each revered saint has made a special contribution to God and society in some spectacular or understated manner. However, daily I see men, women and children going about their lives doing good works while bringing joy and peace to those whose lives they touch. They are all saints too – everyday saints living in our midst.
Be Happy! All Saints Day
Jean Moylan, CSJ